First jobs · ages 14 and 15
Jobs for 14 and 15 year olds, and the rules that come with them.
What you can do, how many hours you can work, what is off-limits, and how Ohio's work permit works. Checked against the US Department of Labor on November 6, 2026.
The short version
Yes, you can work at 14
Federal law lets 14 and 15 year olds work outside school hours in many retail, food service and office jobs, with limits on hours and on dangerous work. At 16 the federal hour limits end (see jobs for 16 year olds), and at 18 the remaining federal youth rules end. Your state can add stricter rules, and many employers only hire from 15 or 16, so always ask.
Jobs you can do
Common jobs for 14 and 15 year olds
| Job | What to know |
|---|---|
| Grocery store: bagging, cashier, stocking shelves | Named by the Department of Labor as allowed at 14 and 15. |
| Fast food and restaurants: front counter, cleaning, some cooking | Cooking only on electric or gas grills with no open flame, and some fryers that lower baskets automatically. No baking. |
| Retail stores: cashier, greeter, folding and stocking | No ladders, and no power-driven machines other than office machines. |
| Office work: filing, answering phones, data entry | Allowed, including at a parent's business. |
| Lifeguard or swim instructor (15 only) | If certified, at traditional pools and water parks. Lakes and beaches need you to be 16. |
| Teaching, music, art and performing | Creative work such as performer, musician or artist is allowed. |
| Movie theaters and recreation centers | Counter, ticket and cleaning jobs, within the hour limits. |
| Babysitting, yard work and chores for neighbors | Casual babysitting and chores around private homes are not covered by federal child labor rules at all. |
Want to earn without a boss? See how to make money as a teenager for small businesses you can start yourself, from lawn care to tutoring.
Hours
How many hours a 14 or 15 year old can work
| On a school day (including Fridays) | 3 hours |
| In a week when school is in session | 18 hours |
| On a non-school day | 8 hours |
| In a week when school is out | 40 hours |
| Time of day | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Summer (June 1 to Labor Day) | Until 9 p.m. |
Federal rules, from Fact Sheet #43. All work must be outside school hours. When federal and state rules differ, the stricter one applies. In Ohio, the summer evening limit runs to September 1 and also applies during school holidays of five school days or more.
Off-limits
Jobs you cannot do until you are older
- Manufacturing, mining or processing work, and work in freezers or meat coolers
- Running power-driven machines (other than office machines), including meat slicers
- Baking
- Working from ladders or scaffolds
- Door-to-door sales, sign waving and youth peddling
- Most construction, warehousing and transportation jobs
- Driving as part of the job
Some jobs stay off-limits until 18, such as driving most vehicles at work, running forklifts and roofing. If an employer asks you to do something on this list, say no and tell a parent.
Ohio
Ohio's work permit, in plain words
If someone employs you in Ohio, you need a minor work permit at ages 14 through 17 during the school year, and at ages 14 and 15during summer break. You usually apply through your school district, and the employer keeps it on file. Running your own small business, like mowing lawns for neighbors, is not the same as being employed. Read the Ohio Department of Commerce's guide for teens and its minor labor laws poster.
Getting hired
How to get your first job at 14 or 15
1. Make a short list of places that hire your age
Call or ask in person: "Do you hire 14 year olds?" Grocery stores, ice cream shops, pools, camps and theaters are good places to start.2. Write a one-page resume
No job history? List school, sports, clubs, volunteering, babysitting and any skills, like being bilingual or good with kids.3. Get your work permit sorted early
In Ohio and many other states you need one before your first shift. Ask your school office how.4. Practice three interview answers
Why do you want this job? When can you work? Tell me about a time you were responsible. Short, honest answers win.5. Follow up
A polite call or visit a few days later shows you really want it.
Not sure what you would be good at? Take the free Future Finder career quiz, or browse Ohio careers for teens.
Questions
Straight answers
- Can a 14 year old get a job?
- Yes. Under federal law, 14 is the minimum age for most jobs outside farming, such as retail, grocery, food service and office work, as long as the work is outside school hours and within the hour limits. Many employers set their own minimum of 15 or 16, so call before you apply.
- How many hours can a 14 or 15 year old work?
- Federal law allows up to 3 hours on a school day (including Fridays), 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non-school day and 40 hours in a week when school is out. Work must be between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., or 9 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day. When a state rule is stricter, the stricter rule applies.
- Do I need a work permit in Ohio?
- Yes, if someone employs you. Ohio requires a minor work permit for ages 14 through 17 during the school year, and for ages 14 and 15 during summer break. The permit is about being employed by someone; running your own small business, like mowing lawns, is different. Your school district can tell you how to apply.
- Can a 13 year old get a job?
- Not most regular jobs. Under 14, federal law limits you to work it does not cover, such as casual babysitting, chores for neighbors, delivering newspapers, acting, and working in a business entirely owned by your parents (but not in mining, manufacturing or hazardous jobs). Many 13 year olds start their own small business instead.
- What is the best first job for a 14 year old?
- The best one is the one you can get to, that fits around school, and that teaches you to show up and serve customers: grocery stores, ice cream shops, movie theaters, camps and recreation centers often hire at 14 or 15. Babysitting, pet sitting and yard work for neighbors are good starts too, because you choose your hours.
- What pay should I expect?
- Federal law sets a minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, and many states set a higher one. Ohio's 2026 minimum wage is $11.00 an hour for larger employers and $7.25 for smaller ones, and some states set different rates for workers under 16. Ask the employer what they pay before you accept.
Sources
Checked on November 6, 2026
- US Department of Labor, Fact Sheet #43: Child labor provisions for nonagricultural occupations
- US Department of Labor: YouthRules!
- US Department of Labor: State child labor laws applicable to minors
- Ohio Department of Commerce: What Ohio teens should know about minor work permits
- Ohio Department of Commerce: Minor labor laws poster
- US Department of Labor: State minimum wage laws
General information for teens and parents, not legal advice. Federal rules come from the US Department of Labor; Ohio rules from the Ohio Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor's state tables. Rules change and states differ, so check your state's labor department before you start.